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Alicante - a brief overview

Alicante, capital city of the province of the same name, has a population of 330,000 and is the second-largest city in the autonomous Valencian Community (after Valencia). Alicante is more than 7,000 years old, but unfortunately, very little remains from the city’s earliest days. The oldest relics include sections of the 9th-century Santa Bárbara fortress on Monte Benacantil. Today, Alicante is a modern coastal city that’s very popular among tourists thanks to its marina and the beautiful beach right in the center of the city.

The Esplanada de España and the historic district, including Barrio Santa Cruz, are perfect spots for strolling and shopping. The Isla de Tabarca just off the coast and Elche, with its famous palm grove, are popular day-trip destinations. Alicante is also an ideal base for water sports enthusiasts and golfers. From boat rentals to diving, wind surfing, sailing and rowing, Alicante has a lot to offer; golfers will find two 18-hole greens as well as several other interesting golf courses.

Top Ten Sights in Alicante

The port and the palm-lined Esplanada de España boardwalk are popular meeting spots in Alicante

Esplanada de España

03001 Alicante Spain Show on map

The colorfully paved, palm-lined boardwalk is the jewel in Alicante’s crown. It runs parallel to the quay wall along the water for around 600 meters. It’s the perfect place to meet for shopping, chatting and relaxing. The boardwalk is also lively in the evenings, with street theater and concerts.

Castillo de Santa Bárbara

This fortress has crowned Monte Benacantil for more than 1,000 years. It once served as a strategic vantage point over the city and harbor, with a view all the way to the Huerta and the Serra d’Aitana. Today, visitors come to enjoy the stunning panorama. The castle is also home to the Museo de la Ciudad de Alicante, the city museum. The easiest way to reach the Castillo is to take the elevator (ascensor) from Playa del Postiguet on Avenida Juan Bautista Lafora.

Playa de Postiguet

03001 Alicante Spain Show on map

The city beach in Alicante is one of the city’s major assets. First, it is actually located in the heart of the city, and second, at just under a kilometer long and 50 meters wide, it is large enough that it never feels crowded, even during peak beach season. The beach is lined with cafés and restaurants, and naturally, street vendors hawk drinks and fruit along the shore.

The five rooms in the archeology museum are laid out in chronological order and display exhibits from the prehistoric era, as well as the eras of the Iberians, Romans and Moors, and from the Middle Ages and the modern era. MARQ was named the European Museum of the Year in 2004 in honor of its modern presentation and vivid displays.

Barrio Santa Cruz

Calle Gravina Alicante Spain Show on map

The picturesque historic quarter is one of the most popular destinations in Alicante. Most of its shady alleyways are closed to traffic, and they are still home to traditional little shops and down-to-earth tapas bars. Alicante’s oldest church, Santa María, is situated a little way up the hill; it was constructed on the ruins of what was the city’s largest mosque in the 14th century.

Museo de Arte Contemporaneo (MACA)

The museum of modern art is housed in a former granary built in 1685, right next to the Basilica of Santa María. The permanent exhibit includes works from Chillida, Picasso, Dalí and Miró, the majority of which come from the private collections of Eusebio Sempere and Juana Francés.

Mercado Central (central market)

Avenida Alfonso El Sabio 10 03002 Alicante Spain Show on map

Opening times: Mon – Sat: 07:30 – 14:30 Sun: 07:00 – 15:00

This beautiful art deco building was constructed on the foundations of the former city fortifications in 1911. The domed roof of the rotunda, in particular, is reminiscent of a basilica, but the building was always designed as a food market. The outdoor flight of stairs leads up into the charmingly decorated interior. The market sells local fruit and vegetables, as well as fish, meat, and gourmet and specialty foods.

Huerta del Cura (palm grove)

Above all, Elche is known for its palm grove (Palmera): the largest in Europe. There are more than 1,000 palms on the park grounds, as well as impressively large cacti and Mediterranean plants such as lemon and orange trees. The main attraction is the Palmera Imperial, the imperial palm, which was planted back in the mid-19th century. Today, it is so large and sprawling that its branches require external support.

Isla de Tabarca

If you need a break from the hustle and bustle of the coastal resorts along the Costa Brava, pay a visit to the Isla de Tabarca, around five kilometers off the coast of Santa Pola. It used to serve as a hideout for pirates. The water in the sandy coves is blue and clear, and the beach is never crowded with visitors, even during the peak season. There isn’t that much to see here, but there’s no shortage of restaurants and bars. Boats arrive here daily from Santa Pola and Alicante.

Santa Pola

Santa Pola, around 18 kilometers south of Alicante, makes for a rewarding day trip. There are countless palm trees everywhere you turn, lending the city an exotic flair. The Fortaleza, constructed in the 16th century to fend off pirate raids, is worth a visit, and the beaches are highly recommended as well. If you have a bit of time, explore the cape (Cabo de Santa Pola) and its beautiful vista, as well as the Salinas Braç del Port, a bird sanctuary with flamingos and herons.

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Country Information

Country overview

Spain is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe. Endless beaches, brilliant sunshine and azure waters draw beach lovers to the Mediterranean coast, and the Balearic and Canary Islands. But visitors also flock to see the historical architecture of cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Leon, Seville and Segovia.

If you want to experience the real Spain, don’t go to bed too early. In these parts, people stroll the city squares and dine out late into the night.

Geography

Spain accounts for roughly four-fifths of the Iberian Peninsula, with Portugal, Andorra and Gibraltar occupying the remainder. In the northeast, the Pyrenees form a natural frontier to France. The state territory also encompasses the Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera) located southeast of Barcelona, in the Mediterranean, and the Canary Islands off the west coast of Africa. Ceuta, Chafarinas, Melilla and Ladu are tiny Spanish exclaves in North Africa, relics of the former Spanish Empire.

Spain is a mountainous country. The Pyrenees extend for 400 kilometers from the Basque Country in the northwest to the Mediterranean. Some peaks rise more than 3000 meters above sea level; the highest elevation here is the Pico de Aneto at 3404 meters above sea level. The country’s interior consists of a vast plateau, the Meseta, which is intersected by a number of mountain ranges.

In the north and northwest, the Meseta is bordered by the Cantabrian Mountains and the Iberian Mountains, and in the South by the Sierra Morena, beyond which lies the Guadalquivir Valley. Galicia’s mountainous landscape runs along the jagged Atlantic coast. The extreme south is also mountainous; the Sierra Nevada southeast of Granada belongs to the Betic Cordilleras, which run parallel to the Mediterranean and include the highest mountain on the Spanish mainland, the Mulhacén (3481 meters above sea level). The highest elevation on Spanish territory is the Pico del Teide (3718 meters above sea level) on Tenerife.

Spain has just under 5000 kilometers of coastline. The Mediterranean coast extends from the French border to the Rock of Gibraltar. The Strait of Gibraltar connects the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean and divides Spain from North Africa.

General Information

Key facts

Population: 46.33 million (2017)

Capital: Madrid.

Language

The official language is Spanish (Castellano, Castilian). In the Autonomous Communities of the Basque region, Galicia, Catalonia, Valencia, Navarra and the Balearic Islands, the relevant regional languages are also used as second official languages according to the Statutes of Autonomy. In tourist areas, English and German are commonly spoken foreign languages.

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Restaurants in Alicante

ListMap

Seafood and rice dishes are typical of Alicante’s local cuisine, and paella is certainly the most popular of those dishes. It takes time to make, so if you want to try it, make sure you’re prepared to wait – it might be an hour before it’s ready.

Fish and seafood are served in every style imaginable, and delicious tapas are also available at nearly every restaurant. Many restaurants and bars serving hot food are situated around the Esplanada de España and the Barrio Santa Cruz in Alicante.

Monastrell

The down-to-earth yet sophisticated cuisine served at Monastrell earned the restaurant a Michelin star (2019). The menu here primarily consists of imaginative seafood specialties and rice dishes. Monastrell is located on the boardwalk, near the Real Club de Regatas de Alicante.

La Barra de César Anca

Calle Ojeda 1 03001 Alicante Spain Show on map

Category: Luxurious

If you want to enjoy fine dining without missing out on the relaxed atmosphere of a bar, Barra de César Anca is the perfect spot for you. Of course, if you prefer dining in a more sedate atmosphere, there are also tables available in the restaurant.

Pópuli Bistró

Carrer Vial Flora de España 36 03016 Alicante Spain Show on map

Category: Moderate

The Pópuli Bistró is located to the northwest of Alicante city center, near the San Juan beach. Take a seat at one of the light-toned wood tables in the spacious rooms located on the grounds of a finca. Mediterranean cuisine dominates the menu here; choose from a broad range of grilled fish or meat dishes, or maybe opt for a rice dish instead.

Piripi

Oscar Esplá 30 03003 Alicante Spain Show on map

Category: Moderate

There are three levels to Piripi: The ground floor is a tapas bar, the second floor houses the dining area, and in the basement is another little bar. The basement bar is more lively than the upper two floors. Sidle up to the wooden counter for subtly spiced meat skewers and vegetable appetizers.

El Palé

Calle de Tomas Lopez Torregrosa 13 03002 Alicante Spain Show on map

Category: Budget

Plates of smoked and salted fish are particularly popular at this little restaurant just off Avenida Alfonso El Sabio. Owner Daniel Alonsa is always coming up with creative new varieties of tapas. Here’s a tip: It’s best to visit this restaurant during the week, when it’s not as crowded as it is from Friday to Sunday.

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Hotels in Alicante

ListMap

A multitude of hotels in all price categories and comfort levels are available in and around Alicante: from boutique hotels in Barrio Santa Cruz and business hotels near the train station to beach resorts with

a pool and an ocean view. Many hotels also offer childcare during peak season.

Hospes Amérigo

Rafael Altamira 7 03002 Alicante Spain Show on map

Price category: Luxurious

This designer hotel is housed in a Dominican monastery from the 19th century. With modern comforts such as a spa, sauna and fitness center, it leaves nothing to be desired. But the highlight is the rooftop pool with a view of the Castillo de Santa Bárbara.

Hotel Melia Alicante

Plaza del Puerto 3 03001 Alicante Spain Show on map

Price category: Luxurious

This luxury hotel is located across from the casino, between the port and the Playa del Postiguet. The pool has an ocean view, and the hotel offers childcare during peak season. Terra Restaurant is also part of the hotel.

Hotel NH Rambla de Alicante

Tomás López Torregrosa 11 03002 Alicante Spain Show on map

Price category: Moderate

NH Rambla de Alicante is located in a quiet side street in the city center. The port and the beach are a ten-minute walk from the hotel. This comfortable hotel is at the higher end of mid-range and also offers conference rooms.

Tryp Alicante Gran Sol

Rambla Mendez Nuñez 3 03002 Alicante Spain Show on map

Price category: Moderate

This hotel features modern furnishings and is located in the city’s tallest building. Many of its rooms have a view of the marina and the ocean. The beach is just 300 meters away, and the historic district is also only a few minutes’ walk. The highlight, however, is the panorama restaurant on the 26th floor.

Les Monges

Calle San Agustín 4 03002 Alicante Spain Show on map

Price category: Budget

This little boutique hotel in Barrio Santa Cruz is housed in a beautiful old building from 1912. Great care was taken to preserve the character and charm of the original building when it was restored. The central location of this hotel makes it the perfect jumping-off point for city tours.

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Nightlife in Alicante

ListMap

There are so many bars around the Concatedral de San Nicolás and throughout the entire historic district of Barrio Santa Cruz that you can just drift from one to the next. Sophisticated clubs can be found around the port.

And if you want to experience the city’s nightlife but don’t feel like leaving the beach after your swim, you don’t have to: Some of the best parties happen in the chiringuitos (kiosks) on the Playa del Postiguet in the wee hours of the night.

Desafinado

Calle Santo Tomás 6 03002 Alicante Spain Show on map

Desafinado is located in the heart of the nightlife district, near the cathedral. If you’re looking to dance the night away with the locals, this is the place for you.

El Coscorrón

Calle Tarifa, 5 03002 Alicante Spain Show on map

El Coscorrón is also located near the cathedral. Its decor is as chaotic as it is charming: The walls are completely covered in handwritten notes from guests. There are sometimes concerts on the mini stage, much to the enjoyment of the bar’s primarily young clientèle.

Café Bar Destino

Glorieta Deportista Sergio Cardell 4 03540 Alicante Spain Show on map

The terrace is an excellent spot to people-watch in the city’s nightlife district. And if the spirit moves you to join in, you can head into the bar to dance. The event schedule occasionally includes concerts.

Baccus

Calle Virgen de Belén Semisótano 9 03002 Alicante Spain Show on map

Baccus is one of the most popular bars in Barrio Santa Cruz. The young crowd dances to chart hits and Latino music on two dance floors.

Discoteca Oz

Avenida Delfine Viudes 03183 Torrevieja Spain Show on map

This enormous club located a little ways outside of Torrevieja is considered the successor of the legendary Pacha. If you want to experience pure insanity, visit on a Friday – that’s foam party night. Oz boasts cutting-edge sound systems, and the party lasts into the wee hours of the morning. It opens at midnight.

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Calendar of events

Semana Santa (Holy Week)

Holy Week (Semana Santa) is marked with processions and Easter masses throughout Spain, and Alicante is no exception. The traditions surrounding the festivities are centuries old and tell the story of the Passion of Christ, and of his death and resurrection. Cheerful celebrations are not held until Easter.

La Pelegrina (pilgrimage)

April 23, 2020

Venue: Santa Faz

On the second Thursday after Easter, observant Christians make a pilgrimage of approximately five kilometers from San Nicolas to the Clarist convent in Santa Faz to pray to the veil of Saint Veronica. It’s said that she used this veil to dry the bleeding face of Jesus as he carried the cross, and an image of his face remained on the cloth. Today, the pilgrimage tends to emphasize raucous spectacle rather than quiet introspection. The festivities are capped by a mass held in the monastery.

Hogueras de San Juan (Bonfires of Saint John)

June 20 – 29, 2020

Venue: Cathedral, Playa del Cocó and the entire downtown area

Saint John (San Juan) is the patron saint of Alicante. The city holds a huge festival in his honor during the week of the Feast Day of Saint John, June 24th. The highlights are the parade of the “ninots,” the larger-than-life puppets made of papier-mache and wood, and the huge bonfire where they are burned in the evening. The festival ends on Día de San Pedro (The Feasts of Saints Peter and Paul) on June 29th with a fireworks competition on the Playa del Cocó.

Fijazz Festival

July 2020

Venue: Alicante Town Hall

Alicante’s avant-garde jazz scene holds its biggest event in July. Musicians and composers from around the world come together in the Auditorio de la Diputación de Alicante (ADDA) in the town hall to play jazz fusion.

Fiestas de Moros y Cristianos

December 6, 2020 and other dates

Venue: San Blas, Altozano, José Antonio, San Nicolás

These fiestas are held in many towns around the region and mark the battles between Christians and Moors in the province of Alicante in the 18th century. Citizens of Alicante reenact the battle, slipping into the roles of the occupiers and liberators. The festivities also feature cannon fire and displays of sword fighting. The various districts hold their fiestas on different dates throughout the year; the fiesta in San Nicolás on December 6th is particularly elaborate.

All information subject to change. Please check the dates on the relevant event organizer’s website.

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Phone calls & Internet

Telephone Country code: +34

Mobile telephony and Internet Since June 2017, EU citizens traveling within the EU, and also in Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein have been able to use their cell phones and surf the Net without incurring any extra charges: In other words, customers pay the same price for phone calls, text messages and data volume as they do at home. Restrictions do apply to the constant use of SIM cards abroad, however, and caps may be set on data packages.

For full details, contact your mobile telephony provider in your country. Travelers using a SIM card from a non-EU state do not benefit from the new arrangement.

Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using public Wi-Fi networks, it is a wise precaution to ensure encryption of all passwords, credit card details and banking TANs entered. Use of a VPN app or security software to check the safety of a hotspot is recommended.

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Shopping in Alicante

Key Areas

Small stores, souvenir shops and specialty items can be found in the Old Town of Alicante – known locally as “El Barrio.” There are pedestrian areas around the Teatro Principal or the Esplanada de España, the perfect place to go for a stroll. The palm-lined boardwalk, with its beautiful mosaic-tiled walkway, leads past cafés, flea market booths and stages to the harbor, which is another one of the city’s popular shopping areas.

Markets

The Mercado Central, a beautiful art deco building on Avenida Alfonso El Sabio, features all the delicious foods Spanish Mediterranean cuisine has to offer (open every day). Farmers’ markets are also held in Benalua, Carolinas and Babel. An antiques market takes place on the Plaza del Ayuntamiento (town hall square) on Sundays.

Shopping centers

In Alicante, large department stores and shopping centers are also excellent places to shop. The El Corte Ingles chain has two stores downtown (Avenida Federico Soto and Avenida de Maisonnave). The Centro Comercial Plaza Mar 2 is also centrally located, near the Playa de Postiguet. With approximately 120 shops, restaurants and a movie theater, it provides comprehensive services until late at night.

The Spanish climate varies from region to region, spanning moderate in the north to Mediterranean in the south, and even subtropical on the Canary Islands.

The best times to visit Spain are generally in the spring and the fall, when temperatures are agreeable.

In most parts of the country, it is very hot at the height of summer, but sea breezes on the coast keep it bearable; the interior is best avoided in July and August. The climate on the Atlantic coast and in all of Galicia is pleasant even in summer. In winter, you can enjoy winter sports in the Pyrenean Mountains or agreeably warm days on the south and southeast coast, as well as on the Canary Islands.

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Visa & Immigration

IATA Travel Centre

The IATA Travel Centre delivers accurate passport, visa and health requirement information at a glance. It is a trusted, centralized source for the latest international travel requirements. The IATA Travel Centre is the most accurate source available because it is based on a comprehensive database used by virtually every airline, and information is gathered from official sources worldwide, such as immigration and police authorities.

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Traveller etiquette

Social Conventions

It is polite in Spain to shake hands in greeting. The usual courtesies should be observed. If you are invited to someone’s home, your host will appreciate a small gift. Flowers are given only on special occasions.

Clothing

Casual dress is appropriate almost everywhere, although some hotels and restaurants require men to wear a jacket and tie; evening dress is only required for particularly formal occasions. Swimwear belongs without exception on the beach.

Smoking

A smoking ban applies in all public institutions, on public transportation, in telephone booths and in rooms containing ATMs, as well as in children’s playgrounds and schoolyards. The smoking ban also applies to all bars, cafés and restaurants. Smoking areas inside bars and restaurants are no longer permitted.

Tipping

Tips are generally included in hotel and restaurant bills. It is nevertheless usual to leave a small tip for the service staff. Porters receive a small sum per item of luggage. The usual amount tipped in restaurants is between 10 and 15 percent. When the waiter brings your change, you leave some as the tip. It is considered extremely rude, however, to leave two- or five-cent pieces. When tipping your taxi driver, simply round up the fare.

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Health

Emergency telephone number: 112

Lyme disease, TBE (tick-borne encephalitis) and leishmaniosis are all diseases which are passed on by ticks and mosquitoes and also occur in Spain. Clothing that covers the skin and insect repellents provide protection.

Hepatitis A and hepatitis B occur all over Spain. A hepatitis A vaccination is generally recommended. Visitors planning an extended stay and close contact with the local population, and generally with children and young people, should also have a hepatitis B vaccination.

Measles and whooping cough occur in Spain. Before traveling to Spain, visitors should definitely check whether their vaccinations are up to date and if necessary, get a booster shot.

Epidemic outbreaks of meningococcal meningitis occur in Spain. Visitors should seek protection by getting a vaccination and avoiding large crowds. Children and young people, in particular, should be vaccinated. According to the latest recommendations, the vaccination applies as required travel vaccination for extended stays for certain groups of people (teenagers, school and university students). Visitors should consult their physician regarding the need for vaccination in the light of recommendations in the country of destination.